How does the USPTO treat written opinions from other International Searching Authorities?
The United States International Preliminary Examining Authority has a specific policy regarding written opinions from certain International Searching Authorities. According to the MPEP:
The United States International Preliminary Examining Authority will treat any written opinion of the International Searching Authority established by the USPTO, EPO, KIPO, IP Australia, Rospatent, ILPO, JPO, or IPOS as the first written opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority.
This means that if the written opinion comes from one of these authorities, it is typically considered the first written opinion in the preliminary examination process, and no further written opinion is mandatory before issuing the international preliminary examination report.
To learn more: